Bill Frederick

Of all its members, the MTA may be dearest to the heart of Bill Frederick, who helped to conceive it, lobbied state leaders to create it and then got appointed by ensuring that the mayor of Orlando was given a permanent seat.

Today he calls the agency the last best hope for Central Florida's traffic problems. ''There is no other solution for us. It's a case of self- help or no help.''

Frederick, 51, is one of the region's best-known politicians. He enjoys warm relations with his fellow city council members and the downtown banking and business community, yet is viewed with suspicion by many in neighboring local governments who feel he is trying to expand his influence. He is credited with modernizing city spending practices and boosting city programs in Orlando's predominantly black neighborhoods.

With two years left in his second term and the potential for a third, he could become the MTA elected official with the greatest influence because county commission chairmen usually change every year.

The son of a Winter Haven citrus grower, Frederick graduated from Duke University and the University of Florida College of Law. He has been public defender for an eight-county area and served from 1973 to 1980 on the board that sets state environmental policy.

His acumen for shrewd real estate deals has made him a millionaire, but also brought some criticism. During his first campaign for mayor, he was accused of using his Tallahassee connections to influence construction of Maitland Boulevard through property he owned. He denied it. He has since sold the property.